WIT has extended the deadline for entry! Due to several requests for an extension, we have now extended the deadline for entries to the 31st of August 2008.

Be part of WIT’s "The Start-Up Pitch" and get your ideas heard by investors

Always wanted to run your own start-up? Got a great idea? An idea that you think is unique and differentiated in the online travel space? An idea that will make potential investors sit up and take notice? If so, this could be your chance to be heard.

What: WIT-Web In Travel 2008 (Oct 21-22, 2008) is organising “The Start-Up Pitch” as part of its conference programme this year.

If you have an idea for a start-up business, or if you are already in in start-up mode but are looking to take your business to the next level, pitch your ideas through the WIT 2008 "The Start Up Pitch" competition.

From the entries, we will select hree finalists will be given a chance to pitch their ideas in 5 minutes each to a panel of investor judges.

Vote: The audience will also get a chance to pose questions of the finalists, after which they will vote for the winning idea via SMS.

Win! The winner of WIT's Start-Up Pitch will win a Professional Development Program (PDP) voucher from the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI) worth US$2,500 (valid for 2009) as well as the opportunity to take their winning idea to the next level with the investor judges.

Submit your Idea: So if you think your idea has what it takes to qualify for this Pitch, send your submissions to: The Producer, WIT-Web In Travel, admin@webintravel.com by August 31, 2008.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Your submission must follow this template and be kept within a maximum of two A4 pages.

1. Executive summary
2. Description of the business, core/products/services
3. Key customers and users
4. Business & revenue model, strategy for profitability
5. Market & opportunity analysis
6. Competitive analysis – why is it better than what exists today, how is it unique?
7. Finally, 3 reasons why they should invest in your idea

JUDGING

The panel of judges will be chaired by Mr Bill Liu, Chairman of Stream Global, a business advisory and management consultancy firm focusing on Infocomm Technology SMEs in the Asia Pacific Region.

Entries will be qualified and shortlisted by WIT and the panel of judges. The three finalists will be chosen by September 1 to enable the shortlisted candidates to prepare their presentations for WIT.

The deadline for entries is August 31, 2008.

About MR WILLIAM W. H. LIU

Mr William Liu (or Bill which he is more commonly known) started his career in the I.T. industry in 1970 after obtaining his B.Sc (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Manchester, UK and a M.Sc in Operational Research & Management Studies from the Imperial College of London.

Mr Liu is currently Chairman of Stream Global, a business advisory and management consultancy firm focusing on Infocomm Technology SMEs in the Asia Pacific Region.

He was President of Green Dot Capital Pte Ltd from September 2001 to end 2006. Green Dot Capital is the holding company of Singapore Computer Systems Ltd and SNP Corporation Ltd, both are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Green Dot has invested in several IT and e-business startups and venture funds in the US and Asia.

Prior to joining Green Dot Capital, Mr Liu was the President & CEO of ABACUS International, Asia’s premier Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and Computer Reservations Systems (CRS), and a joint venture company with Sabre, Inc of USA.

ABOUT CNI'S PDP PROGRAMME

The Professional Development Program (PDP) from the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI) delivers the most sophisticated and relevant executive education courses for the hospitality industry. This is a unique opportunity to build on your hospitality experience and gain the skills and knowledge required to advance your business and careers. Learn prevailing management techniques, presented by internationally recognized faculty members and industry leaders. Share your experiences with peers from around the globe.

PDP courses are offered in January and July each year, and cover a wide range of specializations within the hospitality industry. PDP courses give you the opportunity to earn Cornell certifications in the following areas: Financial Management; Food, Beverage and Restaurant Management; General and Strategic Management; Human Resources Management; Marketing; Operations Management; Property-Asset Management and Real Estate.

PDP courses are conducted at the Nanyang Executive Centre, part of the Nanyang Technological University Campus in Singapore.

Visit www.cni.ntu.edu.sg for more details.